What a beautiful flowering cactus! The angle you shot it from is inspired (!) showing it off to great effect. The needles are patterned like many organized stars. A galaxy unto itself.

P.S. Yes, it was a pine cone from the Coulter Pine only found in the coastal mountains of southern California. It is the largest pine cone in the world! Each year a $1000 reward is given to whoever finds the biggest one that year. We have a couple at home but are still on the lookout for "the big one!"

Jm....This is a spectacular capture of one impressive cactus. The blooms are so lovely but the rest yells OUCH to me loudly. I really like the way the shot looks with the red background. What a delightful image you have given us today.